Pulsatile tinnitus

not sure, it’s all done thru the catheter so I would think he’d check pressures as well. Doc made it sound like that the only way to really know what your dealing with. The MRI showed what they thought was stenosis, but really couldn’t be sure. I didn’t care what they did, I just wanted it to go away! Right now it’s intermittent and not so loud, so I just deal with it.

Mine is low to medium daily and I have to play rain music to sleep, I had the cerebral angiogram test done but not to check the pressure of the veins, this was done to rule out a fistula, when my PT gets louder then I’ll have to go and get the venogram done to check the pressure and which vein for a possible stent

My fistula is a grade 1, so just treating symptoms like PT until it gets worse. Hopefully that doesn’t happen. Good luck to you!

I have this same thing. In my right ear, swooshing! If I hold around my ear i can’t hear it. An that’s what I do at nite, going to bed. I I have had many years now. They all have said the same thing, that it’s Tinnitus. I have gone to several ENTs an tests. They say just live with it. I have not gone to a neurosurgeon. I’m glad I read your note here. Gives me an idea to look at.Thank you.

I had this for a few years about 8 years ago, had a cerebral angiogram to find out what was going on. Exact thing you describe (doctor could hear it if he put a stethoscope on my head in that area). After the test the doctor said it was an issue where blood was getting backed up instead of flowing properly between veins and arteries. There are two types, one of which puts you at risk for stroke and they can put in a coil of some sort to fix it if that is the case. Mine was not the dangerous type, so I let it go (he could have still put in the coil to stop the annoyance but there was too much risk since it wasn't the dangerous kind). Find someone who will do a cerebral angio to see which type yours is. It went away by itself after a few years.

Starting having thumping sounds in my right ear. It is like 2-3 thumps, stops and starts every 20 seconds. I notice if I cover my ear completely it stops. I have a MRI scheduled and see an ENT doctor next week. How does everyone cope with the thumping especially trying to sleep?

Hi, @moomoo21 - glad to see you've recently joined Mayo Clinic Connect. Welcome. That must be frustrating to have thumping sounds in your ear, stopping and starting.

I moved your post here as I thought that other members in this conversation might have some thoughts for you on what the thumping sounds in your ear might be and how they cope, especially trying to sleep. Please meet @feckert52 @beatricefay @aadgloria1401 @lizm2 and others. @lioness also may have some thoughts for you.

How has your sleep been, dealing with this sound in your ear?

Hello, I understand. The best description I have for mine while my head is on the pillow is a pick axe hitting an anvil.

Hi @moomoo21, did you have your appointment yet? If you’ve read other posts, than you already know that pulsatile tinnitus sounds similar to what you may have. I also started with an MRI and an ENT. Ended up at neurosurgeon. I did not cope well with the noise when I was trying to sleep, that’s what finally drove me to the doc. Have you noticed if the thumping in time
With your heartbeat?

I hear heart beats in both ears and have been to a cardiologist and an otolaryngologist. Have you had a test to determine if a blood vessel in your brain is the culprit? How do you know if you need to have it?